(F05) What the Country's First PFAS Ban Means for the AEC Industry

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s, largely due to their longevity and resistance to breakdown. These properties make them extremely dangerous to human and environmental health. They bioaccumulate in our water, soil, air, food, homes and workplaces and are linked with cancer, decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, and decreased vaccine effectiveness. PFAS are prevalent in building materials due to their desirable functions such as weatherproofing, corrosion prevention and stain resistance, but their utility comes at a cost. While product ingredient disclosure and transparency are becoming more common practice (thanks to the LEEDv4/v4.1 Materials & Resources credit requirements), vetting products using a class-based approach to PFAS removal remains a challenge. This session assembles a team of experts—a professor, materials specialist, policy maker and project consultant—to demystify PFAS and provide actionable steps for owners, developers, consultants and AEC professionals to take on their projects. Content will include guidance on where to start, realities of product vetting, limitations of current codes, and areas of greatest impact. The State of Maine has implemented the country’s first and most extensive ban on PFAS chemicals, and it will be used as a case study to prepare session attendees for future state and federal action impacting the built environment.